Written Answers Monday 12 February 2007

Scottish Executive

Air Services

Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals in (a) Orkney and (b) the rest of the Highlands and Islands were registered under the Air Discount Scheme at 1 January 2007.

Tavish Scott: At 1 January 2007, 20,398 residents of Orkney were registered members of the Air Discount Scheme. Across the eligible parts of the Highlands and Islands as a whole a total of 90,293 residents were registered at that date. These figures include members’ dependants under 16 years of age, some of whom will be registered on both parents’/guardians’ cards.

Air Services

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many managers have left their posts in each department at each airport controlled by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in each year since 2003.

Tavish Scott: The information requested is set out in the following table:

  Number of Managers who have left Posts with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL)

  HIAL Department*20032004200520062007Airport/Regional Managers---2 (One Retiral and One Left At Stornoway-Commercial And Marketing Department---1 (Post Holder Redeployed) -Human Resources Department--1 (Left Post)--Infrastructure Services Department-1 (Retiral)---Operations Department--1 (Left Post)2 (Left Posts)1 (Director Left Post)

  Note: *All posts based at Inverness Headquarters except where noted.

Air Services

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many air traffic controllers have left posts in each airport controlled by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in the last 12 months and how many have been replaced.

Tavish Scott: Four members of the Air Traffic Control staff have left posts with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in the past 12 months. These were a Senior Air Traffic Control Officer and two Air Traffic Control Officers at Stornoway and a Senior Air Traffic Control Officer at Kirkwall. Two of the posts at Stornoway have so far been replaced.

Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met the Glass and Glazing Federation to discuss compliance with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 regarding replacement windows and, if not, whether it plans to meet it on the issue.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  The SBSA consulted the Glass and Glazing Federation before the introduction of the 2004 Regulations and has kept in contact in relation to the use of appropriate glass for all windows, including replacements. There are no plans to meet.

Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would consider removing replacement windows from Schedule 3 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 if evidence were presented that this would lead to greater compliance levels and, if so, what its timetable for such a change would be.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  Being in Schedule 3 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, replacement windows are exempt from requiring a building warrant but only provided they comply with the building regulations. It is not feasible to reconsider the exemption because the large number of replacements would have a severe impact on the building standards work of local authorities. The agency would, however, welcome an Approved Certifier of Construction Scheme to improve compliance and has attempted to interest the glass and glazing industry in running such a scheme.

Central Heating Programme

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12521 by Malcolm Chisholm on 8 December 2004, how many people under 60 receive the disability living allowance and how much it would cost to include them in the central heating programme, broken down into private tenants, owner occupiers and social housing tenants.

Rhona Brankin: In May 2006, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that in Scotland about 190,000 (189,390) people under 60 received disability living allowance.

  We have completed the central heating programme in the Social sector with the exception of Glasgow Housing Association which will complete its work next month. Through this programme we have now offered free central heating to all public sector tenants who did not have it - regardless of their age or benefits entitlement.

  From responses to the Scottish House Condition Survey between October 2003 and September 2004, the latest period for which information is available, we estimate that in 2003-04 there were about 5,000 private tenants or owner occupiers in Scotland in receipt of Disability Living Allowance in which all occupants were under 60 and who had no or poor quality central heating. About 20% of these were private tenants and 80% were owner occupied.

  The most complete information about the cost of central heating grants is from Communities Scotland for the financial year up to end September 2006. The average grant for the central heating programme was £3,419. Therefore the cost of extending the programme to these groups would be around £17 million of which about 20% would be for private tenants and 80% owner occupied.

  The Scottish House Condition Survey is a sample survey and estimates from the survey are subject to sampling error. Because of the very small numbers of respondents to the survey in these groups there is a wide range of uncertainty around the estimated £17 million cost. The 95% confidence interval for the estimated cost lies between £5 million and £29 million.

Culture

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the qualifying criteria for national performing arts company status will be published.

Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive is currently developing criteria for attaining and maintaining national performing company status, in consultation with the current national performing companies and the Scottish Arts Council. The criteria will be made publicly available before the end of March 2007.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31076 by Cathy Jamieson on 25 January 2007, how many of the prosecutions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each year related to illegal dogs, broken down by breed or type of dog.

Cathy Jamieson: Data at the level of detail requested is not available centrally.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been prosecuted in Scotland under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each year since it was introduced.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 Offences1, 1991-92 to 2004-05

  
Financial Year
Number

1991-92
12

1992-93
35

1993-94
17

1994-95
14

1995-96
7

1996-97
3

1997-98
2

1998-99
1

1999-00
3

2000-01
2

2001-02
2

2002-03
1

2003-04
-

2004-05
-


  Note: 1. Where main offence.

Education

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils with (a) disabilities and (b) special needs who have received mainstream schooling have participated in work experience in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

Robert Brown: The following tables provide data from the attendance and absence surveys on the numbers of pupils with a Record of Needs and/or Individualised Educational Programmes in all years of secondary schools recorded as not being in school due to being on work experience. The data covers the years 2003-04 to 2005-06, the only years for which these data were collected. Data on pupils with disabilities are not held centrally.

  2005-06 Pupil Numbers

   
Secondary
Secondary School Pupils with RoN/IEP
 

Pupils,Not SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Special School
Aberdeen City
1,054
15
10
-
45
Aberdeenshire
273
28
20
2
14
Angus
1,126
11
8
13
-
Argyll and Bute
986
43
7
-
4
Clackmannanshire
374
8
3
-
-
Dumfries and Galloway
1,635
25
29
-
-
Dundee City
1,059
52
36
1
3
East Ayrshire
1,283
43
3
-
13
East Dunbartonshire
1,550
13
-
-
18
East Lothian
1,181
12
5
-
-
East Renfrewshire
982
39
-
-
-
Edinburgh, City of
3,185
93
1
-
59
Eilean Siar
426
11
3
-
-
Falkirk
1,388
43
-
-
20
Fife
2,830
79
15
6
2
Glasgow City
3,792
46
-
1
183
Highland
1,859
64
24
-
-
Inverclyde
725
41
1
-
24
Midlothian
..
..
..
..
..
Moray
898
31
13
1
-
North Ayrshire
1,098
21
-
-
9
North Lanarkshire
3,565
74
2
-
92
Orkney Islands
64
3
-
-
-
Perth and Kinross
1,509
56
20
-
-
Renfrewshire
1,955
81
-
-
31
Scottish Borders
759
11
38
1
-
Shetland Islands
268
8
13
8
-
South Ayrshire
1,174
63
-
-
-
South Lanarkshire
3,154
91
11
-
100
Stirling
692
7
1
-
-
West Dunbartonshire
1,001
24
-
-
5
West Lothian
199
5
-
-
-
Scotland
42,044
1,141
263
33
622


  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

  2005-06 Percentages

   
Secondary
Secondary School Pupils with RoN/IEP
 

Pupils,
  Not SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Special School
Aberdeen City
10
12
11
-
31
Aberdeenshire
2
6
6
3
16
Angus
16
13
19
42
n/a
Argyll and Bute
18
20
18
-
17
Clackmannanshire
13
6
13
-
-
Dumfries and Galloway
18
11
18
-
-
Dundee City
14
10
11
1
5
East Ayrshire
16
15
18
n/a
16
East Dunbartonshire
19
12
-
-
29
East Lothian
21
24
13
-
n/a
East Renfrewshire
13
19
n/a
n/a
-
Edinburgh, City of
17
14
11
-
18
Eilean Siar
24
19
20
-
n/a
Falkirk
16
9
-
-
19
Fife
13
10
10
46
3
Glasgow City
14
10
n/a
14
25
Highland
13
15
15
-
-
Inverclyde
14
14
100
n/a
41
Midlothian
..
..
..
..
..
Moray
16
20
19
3
n/a
North Ayrshire
12
19
n/a
n/a
10
North Lanarkshire
16
16
17
-
25
Orkney Islands
5
6
-
-
n/a
Perth and Kinross
20
17
13
-
-
Renfrewshire
18
18
-
-
23
Scottish Borders
12
6
21
6
n/a
Shetland Islands
18
9
30
38
n/a
South Ayrshire
17
12
-
-
-
South Lanarkshire
16
13
37
-
32
Stirling
12
4
6
-
-
West Dunbartonshire
16
16
-
n/a
7
West Lothian
2
1
-
-
-
Scotland
14
12
13
7
21


  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

  2004-05 Pupil Numbers

   
Secondary
Secondary School Pupils with RoN/IEP
 

pupils, 
  Not SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Special School
Aberdeen City1,4852213-38Aberdeenshire3122127116Angus1,173211210-Argyll and Bute924315-6Clackmannanshire339718--Dumfries and Galloway1,7342642-1Dundee City1,115572218East Ayrshire1,18835--9East Dunbartonshire1,29518--20East Lothian1,076117--East Renfrewshire1,05446---Edinburgh, City of2,94280-155Eilean Siar467173--Falkirk1,270342-11Fife2,921653013-Glasgow City3,24434--188Highland1,968601711Inverclyde73144--18Midlothian1545---Moray1,0382314--North Ayrshire1,13815--7North Lanarkshire3,622493-93Orkney Islands61----Perth and Kinross1,1223614--Renfrewshire1,63685--46Scottish Borders64614181-Shetland Islands27584--South Ayrshire1,188512--South Lanarkshire3,1141028-71Stirling60592--West Dunbartonshire97710--3West Lothian1856---Scotland40,9991,04226328591

  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

  2004-05 Percentages

   
Secondary
Secondary School Pupils with RoN/IEP
 
Non SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Special SchoolAberdeen City151913-23Aberdeenshire249216Angus17152940n/aArgyll and Bute171610-23Clackmannanshire12850--Dumfries and Galloway191324-6Dundee City15119210East Ayrshire1515--9East Dunbartonshire1523--28East Lothian191827-n/aEast Renfrewshire1425n/an/a-Edinburgh, City of1513-2014Eilean Siar253221-n/aFalkirk15911-8Fife14112233-Glasgow City119n/a-21Highland14141341Inverclyde1415n/an/a21Midlothian33---Moray181520-n/aNorth Ayrshire1314n/an/a6North Lanarkshire171127-22Orkney Islands4--n/an/aPerth and Kinross15178--Renfrewshire1518--27Scottish Borders10101110n/aShetland Islands181317-n/aSouth Ayrshire171411--South Lanarkshire161622n/a19Stirling1165--West Dunbartonshire168-n/a4West Lothian21-n/a-Scotland131214816

  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

  2003-04 Pupil Numbers

   
Secondary
Secondary school pupils with RoN/IEP
 

Non SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Non SEN
Aberdeen City1,4562511-31Aberdeenshire19941642Angus6219121-Argyll and Bute835245-2Clackmannanshire426115--Dumfries and Galloway1,47830491-Dundee City1,119343343East Ayrshire1,193358-21East Dunbartonshire1,549121-8East Lothian1,153215--East Renfrewshire1,38635---Edinburgh, City of2,4871088152Eilean Siar421122--Falkirk1,407422--Fife2,889382161Glasgow City3,18525--245Highland1,88257262-Inverclyde48021--4Midlothian32671--Moray1,0462920--North Ayrshire1,33915--2North Lanarkshire3,356522172Orkney Islands444---Perth and Kinross6321313--Renfrewshire1,74898-539Scottish Borders82714232-Shetland Islands1691---South Ayrshire1,244533--South Lanarkshire2,759675-98Stirling4384---West Dunbartonshire1,08916--12West Lothian..........Scotland39,18391627127592

  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

  2003-04 Percentages

   
Secondary
Secondary School Pupils with RoN/IEP
 

Non SEN
Mainstream Class Only
Some Mainstream Class, Some Special Class
Special Class Only
Non SEN
Aberdeen City142011-17Aberdeenshire11592Angus992210n/aArgyll and Bute151712-6Clackmannanshire151118n/a-Dumfries and Galloway1613307-Dundee City1581243East Ayrshire151628-18East Dunbartonshire181514n/a10East Lothian212319-n/aEast Renfrewshire1920n/an/a-Edinburgh, City of131557812Eilean Siar231910-n/aFalkirk171213n/a-Fife131013111Glasgow City1113-n/a22Highland13141813-Inverclyde98-n/a4Midlothian6525--Moray191920-n/aNorth Ayrshire1515n/an/a2North Lanarkshire1516171315Orkney Islands310---Perth and Kinross8912--Renfrewshire1523-5019Scottish Borders13131129n/aShetland Islands113--n/aSouth Ayrshire171810--South Lanarkshire141314-26Stirling94-n/a-West Dunbartonshire1714-n/a16West Lothian..........Scotland131314814

  Notes:

  - means zero or rounds to zero.

  .. means data not supplied.

  n/a means not applicable.

Emergency Planning

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any concerns have been raised with it about the implications for national emergency planning of the reduction in size of the Territorial Army.

Cathy Jamieson: No concerns have been raised with the Scottish Executive with regard to the impact of the reduction in size of the Territorial Army on national emergency planning. Matters to do with the Armed Forces are of course a matter reserved to Westminster.

Gambling

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and other police and criminal justice agencies regarding the potential impact of super casinos and increased gambling on criminality and offending; whether it will publish any responses it has received and what the reasons are for its position on this matter; whether it anticipates that there will be an increase in offending and criminality as a result of increased gambling and, if so, to what extent.

Cathy Jamieson: No discussions have taken place. The Deputy First Minister made Scottish ministers’ position on the new casino development clear in a press release on 12 September 2006, a link to which is attached http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/09/12111543 .

Genetically Modified Organisms

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how often, and on what dates, an Executive official has been a member of the UK delegation to any EU working groups on genetically modified crops and foods.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive does not hold records of specific official attendance at EU working groups in which genetically modified crops and food are discussed. The most recent example where an Executive official attended an EU meeting was COEX-NET (the network group on coexistence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic agriculture) in Brussels on 19 December 2006.

Justice

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of crimes resulted in a conviction in each year since 1999, broken down by police force area.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following table. The statistics dealing with recorded crime and court proceedings are not directly comparable for a number of reasons. A person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim, and a crime may be recorded in one year and proceedings taken in a subsequent year. Crimes committed by children will also generally be dealt with through the children’s hearings system rather than courts, while some minor crimes can be dealt with by alternatives to prosecution such as fiscal fines. The implementation in April 2004 of the more victim oriented Scottish Crime Recording Standard increased the numbers of minor crimes recorded by the police, such as minor crimes of vandalism and minor thefts.

  Persons with a Charge Proved in Scottish Courts Expressed as a Percentage of Crimes Recorded by the Police1, 1999-2000 to 2004-05.

  
Police Force Area
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05

Central
13
14
16
15
14
16

Dumfries and Galloway
13
16
13
12
12
12

Fife
10
9
9
8
7
7

Grampian
9
8
9
10
11
10

Lothian and Borders
7
7
7
8
7
7

Northern
12
11
11
13
14
12

Strathclyde
10
9
10
10
11
11

Tayside
12
14
14
14
15
14

Scotland
10
9
10
10
10
10


  Note: 1. Scottish Executive Justice Department Crime Groups 1-5.

Justice

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the re-offending rate was of non-violent offenders who received a (a) non-custodial and (b) custodial sentence of less than three months in each of the last five years.

Cathy Jamieson: Statistics on the re-offending rate of non-violent offenders are not available since information on offence dates is not held centrally. The most recent available statistics relate to the reconviction rates of such offenders and this is given in the following table.

  Reconvictions of Offenders Discharged from Custody of given Non-Custodial Sentences, 1998-99 to 2002-03, Percentage Reconvicted within Two Years

   
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
All offenders4243444445Offenders whose index conviction1 was for a non-violent crime2 and which resulted in a non-custodial sentence5454565759Offenders whose index conviction1 was for a non-violent crime2 and which resulted in a custodial sentence of less than 3 months 37474777777

  Notes:

  1. The conviction which resulted in a non-custodial sentence being imposed or the one which originally led to a custodial sentence being served.

  2. Crimes in groups 2 to 5 of the Scottish Executive Justice Departments classification of crimes and offences or the offences of breach of the peace, antisocial behaviour offences, racially aggravated harassment or conduct, miscellaneous firearms offences and social security offences. Crimes of violence (including murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide, serious assault, robbery and assault with intent to rob, simple assault and simple assault on an emergency worker) are not included.

  3. Offenders who were sentenced to less than three months in custody. Given current early release arrangements, these offenders will have been released at half their sentenced custody period and possibly earlier depending on time they may already have spent on remand or bail.

Justice

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation and conventions in respect of religion and belief cover police custody protocols.

Cathy Jamieson: Part II of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 ensures that persons detained in police custody are treated in a humane and dignified manner. The Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2006 also applies.

Land

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all land sales by local authorities and other public bodies, excluding the NHS, since 1997, also broken down by (a) year and (b) local authority or public body.

Des McNulty: This information is not available centrally.

NHS Waiting Times

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress NHS Highland is making in achieving a maximum 26-week waiting time for orthodontics.

Lewis Macdonald: To assist NHS Highland in achieving a maximum 26-week waiting time for orthodontics, the Executive has provided the board with an additional £250,000 capital and £85,000 revenue funding.

  The board is finalising a plan for 2007-08 which will set out the action NHS Highland will take to reduce waits for orthodontics and achieve and maintain an 18-week maximum waiting time from 2007-08. The Health Department will keep in close contact with NHS Highland as it finalises and implements this plan.

  I understand from NHS Highland that action to improve waiting times will include improvements in physical capacity and the appointment of a locum consultant from 15 February 2007. The board will also consider use of the private sector where appropriate.

Oil and Gas Industry

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the UK Government anent the impact of the dismantling and disposal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures where such work takes place in Scottish waterways.

Allan Wilson: Most recently the Executive along with DTI and other interested parties were invited to meet with Shell and discuss the future decommissioning project of Brent Field.

  Over the last five years the Department for Trade and Industry has consulted with the Scottish Executive prior to approving decommissioning programmes for the Hutton, Frigg, Beatrice and North West Hutton Field facilities and on removal and disposal of the Brent flare tower and Brent Spar anchor blocks all of which are located in Scottish Waters.

Oil and Gas Industry

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has anent the number of Scottish companies involved in the disposal of decommissioned, or redundant, offshore oil and gas structures and what estimate has been made of the number of people employed in such work.

Allan Wilson: There is no data stored centrally regarding number of jobs and Scottish companies involved in decommissioning projects. However, Scottish Enterprise published a decommissioning report in 2005 (Oil and Gas Decommissioning Opportunity Review) providing forecasts of expenditures, jobs and timescales for when main programmes would begin.

  With the increase in new technologies and techniques, the anticipated dates for abandonment are continually being revised and deferred, giving Scottish companies time to prepare and adapt their skills and services to take up opportunities.

Oil and Gas Industry

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish ministers take part in discussions concerning the disposal of redundant offshore oil and gas installations with (a) the companies that own such structures, (b) UK ministers, (c) commercial fishermen’s organisations and (d) other interested parties.

Allan Wilson: The Department of Trade and Industry consults the Scottish Executive on all decommissioning programmes covering redundant offshore oil and gas infrastructure located in Scottish waters. Such proposals include the outcome of consultations by the operator with interested parties including the relevant fishermen’s organisations.

Planning

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it is developing to assist town centres and retail businesses located in town centres that are being effected by large out-of-town retail outlets.

Des McNulty: Scottish planning policy supports the protection and enhancement of town centres and indicates that they should be the first choice for new shopping developments. However, planning policy is not concerned with regulating competition. In addition, our support for Business Improvement Districts and funding from various sources, ranging from core local government funding to funding for housing and regeneration, also brings benefits to town centres.

Prison Service

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have absconded from custody in each of the last 10 years and, of these, how many have not been caught.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The number of absconders is published in the SPS Annual Reports and Accounts and can be found by using the following link: http://www.sps.gov.uk/default.aspx?documentid=67e156ce-a4c9-49f5-a526-0dab421427f6.

  At 29 January 2007, 13 absconders were still at large.

Prison Service

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many foreign nationals who are currently held in Scottish prisons are eligible for deportation on release.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The deportation of foreign nationals in Scotland’s prisons is a matter for the Home Office. On 19 January 2007, the SPS held 71 foreign nationals who were the subject of detention orders from the Immigration Service or were in dual detention.

Prison Service

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were housed in open prisons in each year since 2000, broken down by (a) category recommended for each prisoner at the start of their sentence and (b) length of sentence (i) originally handed down and (ii) remaining when transferred to open prison.

Cathy Jamieson: The average daily and maximum population for each prison for each year in the period requested can be obtained from the Scottish Prison Service Annual Reports published at:  http://www.sps.gov.uk/default.aspx?documentid=67e156ce-a4c9-49f5-a526-0dab421427f6 .

  (a) All prisoners are categorised as High Supervision at the start of their sentence.

  (b) The information requested at (b) is not available.

Prison Service

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners housed in open prisons in each year since 2000 were originally convicted of (a) murder, (b) rape, (c) robbery, (d) culpable homicide, (e) sexual assault, (f) assault with a knife or bladed instrument, (g) possession with intent to supply drugs, (h) simple possession of drugs, (i) grievous bodily harm, (j) actual bodily harm and (k) assault.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The available information on prisoners held in the open estate on 30 June by main crime and year is provided in the following table:

  
Main Crime
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005

Murder
32
47
45
40
28

Attempted murder
5
9
4
15
18

Culpable homicide
14
9
16
17
27

Serious Assault
31
40
48
54
50

Handling an offensive weapon
0
1
1
0
0

Robbery
21
13
20
26
27

Rape and attempted rape
0
0
2
1
2

Supply or possession with intent to supply
77
83
110
102
95

Possession of drugs
0
0
1
0
2

Other drug crimes
1
3
2
3
4

Petty Assault
0
5
1
3
2

Crime unknown
1
2
5
12
20

All other crimes
42
42
32
22
21

All
224
254
287
295
296

Prison Service

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive How many foreign nationals are currently housed in each prison.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  On 5 February 2007 Foreign Nationals were recorded as follows.

  
Establishment
No.

Aberdeen
12

Barlinnie
62

Castle Huntly
3

Cornton Vale
23

Dumfries
24

Edinburgh
36

Glenochil 
7

Greenock
13

Inverness
3

Kilmarnock
7

Low Moss
1

Noranside
2

Perth
5

Peterhead
6

Polmont
11

Shotts
7

Public Transport

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what transport projects have been announced and subsequently cancelled since 1999.

Tavish Scott: Over 1,000 transport projects have been announced by the Scottish Executive since 1999, of which nine were subsequently cancelled. This figure does not include projects funded from the annual allocations given to local authorities in respect of Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets or the Rural Public Passenger Grant Scheme as local authorities take decisions on how to spend these grants in line with their local priorities.

  The cancelled projects are listed:

  Bus Route Development Fund Grant - Strathclyde Passenger Transport – First Glasgow: New Glasgow Night Services.

  Announced October 2005 and withdrawn July 2006.

  Freight Facilities Grant to Scottish Coal Ltd.

  Announced November 2001 and withdrawn September 2006.

  Sheriffhall Roundabout Cycle Bridge.

  Announced October 1999 and withdrawn August 2004.

  Allandale Rail Station Park and Ride Scheme.

  Announced September 2002 and withdrawn October 2006.

  A75 Chapelton to Bush o’Bield Scheme.

  Announced March 2000 and withdrawn 2001.

  A7 Glenmayne to Yair Scheme.

  Announced March 2003 and withdrawn August 2005.

  Air Route Development Fund, Glasgow Prestwick to Berlin.

  Due to start 1 September 2003, did not start.

  Piers and Harbours Grant Scheme, Eday/Westray – Access road, car parking, turning area and finger pier/slipway. Steel stairway.

  Project abandoned following land acquisition problems.

  Rural Community Transport Initiative, Braemar Community Council

  Announced 2003-04, project cancelled 2003-04.

Public Transport

Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to progress Tram Line 3 to link south-east Edinburgh with the city’s planned tram network.

Tavish Scott: City of Edinburgh Council is not currently progressing Tram Line 3.

Public Transport

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the cost estimates of Transport Initiatives Edinburgh in relation to the Trams for Edinburgh scheme are reliable.

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that a sufficient allowance has been made in the cost estimates of Transport Initiatives Edinburgh of the Edinburgh trams scheme in respect of the level of optimism bias.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive is considering the Tram Draft Final Business Case including the capital cost estimates and allowances for Optimism Bias.

  We expect to complete this consideration by the end of February 2007.

Public Transport

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent in the (a) Angus and (b) Aberdeenshire local authority areas in each year since 2003 on (i) Bus Service Operators Grant, (ii) Bus Route Development Grant, (iii) the Rural Community Transport Initiative, (iv) the Rural Public Passenger Transport Grants Scheme, (iv) demand-responsive transport and (v) public transport and integrated transport funds.

Tavish Scott: Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is paid to all operators of local registered bus services. Figures cannot be given below a Scotland wide figure as the information is commercially sensitive.

  Bus Route Development Grant funding amounting to £0.394 million was awarded to Angus Council in 2005. Aberdeenshire Council was awarded £0.59 million in 2005 and £1.889 million in 2006.

  The amounts in the following table have been awarded under the Rural Community Transport Initiative (RCTI), Rural Public Passenger Transport Grant Scheme (RPPTGS) and Demand Responsive Transport Schemes (DRT) in the Aberdeenshire and Angus Council areas in each year since 2003.

   
Aberdeenshire Council
Angus Council

RCTI
RPPTGS
DRT
RCTI
RPPTGS
DRT
2003-04
£183,694
£475,000
£67,928.96
Nil
£181,000
£26,250
2004-05
£237,050
£545,000
£59,795.04
Nil
£205,000
£37,000
2005-06
£266,425
£572,000
Nil
Nil
£216,000
£42,000
2006-07
£404,887
£594,000
£50,000
Nil
£223,000
£48,500
Total
£1,092,056
£2,186,000
£177,724
Nil
£825,000
£153,750


  Since 2003 one Integrated Transport Fund award was made to Aberdeenshire Council for up to £4.4 million for its Towns Interchanges programme. The award includes three main interchange projects located at Peterhead, Banchory and Inverurie. An award of £0.2 million was also made to Aberdeenshire Council for the Laurencekirk rail station re-opening feasibility study. No Public Transport Fund awards were made in the period.

Rail Network

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be allocated from the Executive’s fund to refurbish trains and improve stations, announced on 19 December 2006, which will benefit Stirling, Dunblane and Crianlarich stations.

Tavish Scott: The investment of over £20 million announced on 19 December 2006 will deliver additional passenger benefits throughout Scotland. Passengers at Stirling and Dunblane will benefit from additional Ticket Vending Machines, CCTV Help Point Induction Loops and some refurbished 158 units. A convex mirror will be installed at Crianlarich to improve safety and passengers will benefit from the refurbished 156 units on services calling at the station.

  The cost of the station improvements will be around £110,000 at Stirling, £55,000 at Dunblane and £1,000 at Crianlarich. This does not include the rolling stock refurbishment costs.

  Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more information if required.

Rail Network

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line will be opened.

Tavish Scott: I expect the railway to open in the summer 2007; as indicated in my statement of March 2006.

Rail Network

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that, because the issue of levying additional charges on freight or passenger rail operators was not raised during the parliamentary consideration of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway and Linked Improvements Bill, such charges cannot now be made.

Tavish Scott: The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is responsible for setting an appropriate track access charge regime for new railways. The Scottish Executive does not consider that the parliamentary consideration of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway and Linked Improvements Bill will prevent the ORR from discharging this responsibility.

Rail Network

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information Transport Scotland has in respect of whether any plans or proposals are being considered to make charges for rail passenger franchise operators such as FirstScotrail for using the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line and whether it will place full details in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Tavish Scott: Access charges will be paid by First ScotRail to Network Rail for use of the railway between Stirling and Alloa. This was anticipated in the ScotRail Franchise contract, in accordance with normal industry practice.

  The level of charges will be determined between Network Rail and passenger operators in terms of the track access agreements overseen by the Office of the Rail Regulator. As such, details will not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Rail Network

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the Aberdeen Crossrail project.

Tavish Scott: The North East of Scotland Transport Partnership has commissioned feasibility work which is expected to be completed by spring 2007. We will then be able to fully assess the proposals.

Rail Network

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional railway stations will open as part of the Aberdeen Crossrail project and where they will be located.

Tavish Scott: Current feasibility work on the Aberdeen Crossrail proposal is assessing the potential for new stations at Kintore, Newtonhill, Aberdeen North and Aberdeen South.

Rail Network

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what direction or guidance it has given to Transport Scotland in respect of the preparation of a high-level output statement for Network Rail for the next control period.

Tavish Scott: Transport Scotland is part of the Scottish Executive, directly accountable to Scottish ministers. Consequently, no such direction or guidance has been given.

Rail Network

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of Network Rail’s estate in Scotland.

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the extent to which Network Rail’s estate is currently used for rail services.

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent brownfield sites form part of Network Rail’s estate, giving the location of any such sites.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive does not hold full details on the estate of Network Rail in Scotland. Network Rail is a private company, its estate is not controlled by the Executive.

  Reference should be made to either Network Rail or Registers of Scotland for specific details of Network Rail’s holdings in Scotland. You can contact both organisations by visiting their websites at http://www.ros.gov.uk and http://www.networkrail.co.uk respectively.

Rail Network

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has provide access to areas of Network Rail’s estate for other public uses.

Tavish Scott: Provision of public access to areas of Network Rail’s estate is not a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Rail Network

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had about the use of redundant areas of Network Rail’s estate.

Tavish Scott: Transport Scotland has had various discussions in respect of individual sites, for example, at Aberdeen Guild Street and Glasgow Queen Street. There have also been discussions on areas of land to be utilised on delivering the major rail projects.

  The use and disposal of Network Rail’s estate are a matter for Network Rail and, in respect of the disposal of surplus land, the regulatory procedures overseen by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Rail Network

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the time scales are for the production of a (a) high-level output statement, namely a statement of available finance, showing the funding available for the railway infrastructure and (b) list of infrastructural requirements in respect of the Scottish rail network for the duration of the next control period.

Tavish Scott: The process is initiated formally by the Office of Rail Regulation through the issue of the Access Charges Review Notice. This is expected shortly, and it is likely that this will require the submission of the high-level output statement, together with the statement of funds available in July 2007.

Roads

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to Angus Council for the improvement of local roads in 2006-07.

Tavish Scott: During the financial year 2006-07, Angus Council will receive £12,706,000 in Roads and Transport Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) for roads maintenance purposes. However, this forms part of the local government funding formula used to calculate one block grant figure for each council. This is agreed through the joint Scottish Executive/COSLA Distribution Committee of the Working Party on Local Government Finance. All local authorities receive their needs-based share of GAE allocations and it is then up to each council to decide how best to allocate the resources available to it based on its local needs and priorities.

  In addition, TACTRAN, the statutory regional transport partnership for the area, has been awarded funding by the Scottish Executive for transport capital projects in 2006-07. TACTRAN has allocated £761,000 to Angus Council, of which £230,000 is being directed towards road improvement schemes.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be an appropriate upper limit for Scottish Environment Protection Agency charges to grant permission to convert a 20 metre ditch to an enclosed culvert.

Sarah Boyack: The culverting of ditches is regulated under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (CAR). The charging scheme associated with these Regulations was developed in conjunction with stakeholders and approved by Scottish ministers following extensive public consultation. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is required to ensure its charging schemes are fair, proportionate, transparent and open to scrutiny. I am satisfied that the CAR charging scheme, including maximum charge levels, is a fair mechanism to recover the regulatory and monitoring costs involved in carrying out SEPA’s statutory functions in respect of CAR, to protect the environment and human health from activities affecting watercourses. Further information and details of the charges can be found on the SEPA website:  http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/wfd/regimes/water_env_charging_scheme_guidance.pdf .

Social Enterprise

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has invested in social enterprises in each of the last five years.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Separate figures are not kept for investment in social enterprises. However, social enterprises have been eligible for support through the Futurebuilders Scotland fund which is providing £18 million over the three years to March 2007 to support the development of the social economy in Scotland.

Social Enterprise

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish Enterprise has invested in social enterprises in each of the last five years.

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how much Highlands and Islands Enterprise has invested in social enterprises in each of the last five years.

Rhona Brankin: This information is not held centrally.

Social Enterprise

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for new funding for social enterprises, analogous to the Community Asset Fund announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in December 2006.

Rhona Brankin: There are currently no plans for an analogous Community Asset Fund in Scotland. However, we are considering future support for social enterprise. The Futurebuilders Scotland programme has provided financial support to social enterprises to obtain community-owned assets. Many social enterprises will also benefit from the Big Lottery Fund’s Growing Community Assets programme.

Social Inclusion

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has to verify comments made by the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform on Newsnight Scotland on 14 December 2006 about the relative number of people removed from social exclusion, in light of the numbers of people who are unemployed and economically inactive.

Rhona Brankin: The Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform was not on Newsnight Scotland on 14 December 2006 so I am unable to source the comments you refer to and therefore to directly address the matter you have raised.

  However, the latest statistics show that since 1997 the number of individuals living in households in relative low income (after housing costs) has been reduced by 320,000, from 25% to 18% - a reduction of 26%. On a before housing costs measure the number has been reduced by 210,000, from 20% to 16% - a reduction of 21%.

  In addition, we now have record numbers of people in employment. The most recent figures (from September to November 2006) show that the number of people economically active stood at 2,617,000 (up 25,000 over the previous three month period and 12,000 over the year), giving an economic activity rate of 79.5%. Seasonally adjusted unemployment in Scotland over the same period stood at 137,000, down 35% since March 1997 and by 23% since March 1999.

Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has published, or intends to publish, a review of the issues covered in the annual statements of education improvement objectives that are required to be published by education authorities under section 5 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000.

Hugh Henry: We published a performance report on the National Priorities in Education in 2003 . More recently, Improving Scottish Education and Improving Scottish Education : Effectiveness of Education Authorities  review the performance of the education system, including how priorities for education are distinctively shaped by authorities to meet the needs of their local area. In light of these publications, we have no plans to publish an update to our original report. Copies of all three reports are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 30161, 38934 and 41128 respectively).

Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has published, or intends to publish, a review of the ways in which education authorities encourage equal opportunities, and in particular the observance of equal opportunities requirements, as specified in section 5(2)(b) of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000.

Hugh Henry: The Executive has no current plans to review how education authorities encourage equal opportunities and comply with their various statutory obligations in the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 and other subsequent legislation, some of which will only come into force later this year. Where appropriate, the legislation already requires authorities to set out their plans and monitor progress.

Transport

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what total number of vehicle kilometres on Scottish roads was accounted for by (a) vehicles in private use and (b) commercial vehicles in the most recent year for which information is available.

Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2O-11967 on 8 February 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Transport

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will accept any regional transport strategy which plans to increase road traffic growth.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive issued guidance on the preparation of regional transport strategies. Each regional transport strategy is expected to take account of the three strategic outcomes of the National Transport Strategy: improving journey times and connections; reducing emissions, and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of public transport.

  Regional transport strategies will be viewed holistically against these outcomes and against their support for promoting economic growth and sustainable development.

Voluntary Sector

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with the voluntary sector in the last 12 months in respect of changes that ministers have made in the way that European structural funds are administered for projects operated by charities and other organisations in the voluntary sector.

Allan Wilson: Extensive consultation has taken place with the voluntary sector (as well as with other Scottish partners) on the development of the new Structural Funds programmes. In addition to representation on the European Structural Funds Forum which has met to discuss future programme development twice in the period in question, the voluntary sector has been invited to discuss new programme proposals through several sets of consultations. At the start of 2006, a series of partner meetings were held across Scotland, setting out the Executive’s proposals. During the second quarter of 2006, Scottish partners were invited to respond to the DTI’s consultation on the National Strategic Reference Framework, the overarching strategic document on future Structural Funds in the UK, which has a dedicated chapter on Scotland. Lastly, in the last quarter of 2006, the sector had the opportunity to respond to the public consultation on the draft Operational Programmes for Scotland (the consultation finished on 8 January 2007). As part of this public consultation, workshops were held on each of the priorities in the different programmes – members of the voluntary sector took part in each workshop.

  In addition, my officials and I had several bilateral meetings with key representatives of the sector, particularly the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, throughout 2006.

Voluntary Sector

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will save as a result of changes it has made to the way in which it administers European structural funds for projects operated and supported by the voluntary sector.

Allan Wilson: One of the key principles for developing future programmes has been a desire to reduce the administrative costs for all project sponsors. However, it is not possible to quantify the extent of any savings for projects operated by any individual sector. This will depend on the final agreed changes in the eligibility criteria for projects, the scope of eligible activity and final allocations, and other changes in the administration of projects. Until the Operational Programmes have been finalised and agreed with the European Commission, these changes cannot be specified.

  One set of costs that will not incur to partners in the 2007-13 period is the voluntary management subscription. At present, all projects are invited to make such subscriptions towards paying half the costs of the Programme Management Executives. In the new period, the Executive will pay this share of the costs of the new Intermediate Administration Bodies rather than partners. The cost to all partners of such subscriptions was £16.2 million for 2000-06.

Warm Deal

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be spent on the Warm Deal programme in (a) Renfrewshire and (b) Inverclyde in 2007-08 and, of this, how much will be allocated to (i) Renfrewshire Council, (ii) Inverclyde Council and (iii) housing associations in these areas.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  It is estimated that £16,000 will be spent in Renfrewshire and £56,000 in Inverclyde on Warm Deal measures during 2007-08 in council owned properties. No requests for funding had been received from housing associations in the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde areas when funding for 2007-08 was being allocated.

  It is likely that some Warm Deal measures will also be provided to private households in the PA postcode area during 2007-08, but as this scheme is demand-led, it is not possible to provide estimates of possible expenditure.

Warm Deal

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates have been made anent the number of households that are eligible for installations under the Warm Deal programme in (a) Renfrewshire and (b) Inverclyde in 2007-08.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The latest information provided by the local authorities would indicate that 50 council owned properties in Renfrewshire and 500 in Inverclyde would be eligible for Warm Deal measures in 2007-08. No requests for funding had been received from housing associations in the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde areas when funding for 2007-08 was being allocated.

  It is likely that some Warm Deal measures will also be provided to private households by the managing agent in the PA postcode area during 2007-08, but as this scheme is demand led, it is not possible to provide estimated numbers.

Warm Deal

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has anent the number of households in (a) Renfrewshire and (b) Inverclyde that have benefited from the Warm Deal programme since its inception.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Since the programme began in 1999, a total of 1,979 households in council owned properties have benefited from the Warm Deal programme in Renfrewshire. For Inverclyde, the total for that period is 5,853.

  The managing agent for the programme also installed Warm Deal measures, covering the private sector together with local authority and housing association properties during that period, but the information regarding numbers installed by the managing agent is only available by main postcode area. The figure for the PA postcode area was 8,445 for the period 1999 to 2006.